Midday mass at Escondido’s Church of the Resurrection stressed Lenten sacrifice, a message that mirrored the priorities of newly appointed Pope Francis, known for austerity and humility as a cardinal in Argentina.

“The Christian needs to carry his cross all the days of his life,” Pastor Jorge Vasquez, visiting from Michoacán, Mexico, told the congregation. “You have to have an attitude of sacrifice.”

During the Prayers for the Faithful, the lector asked for blessings, “For our new pope, that he has the compassion of the Holy Spirit.”

Vasquez didn’t discuss the election of Pope Francis during his homily, focusing instead on Lenten preparation for Easter. But he highlighted themes that have characterized practices of the new pope, who rejected the privileges associated with the office of cardinal, instead cooking his own food and take public transportation in lieu of a chauffeured car.

“He’s a pope full of humility and prayer and contemplation,” Vasquez said after mass. “He’s an example of sacrifice.”

By hewing to strict vows of poverty, Pope Francis not only sets an example for Catholics, but also shares the experience of parishioners who also face daily hardships, said Jaime Zaragoza, of Escondido.

Congregation members worship during Spanish language mass Sunday at the Church of the Resurrection. Themes consistent with the new Pope Francis, humility and sacrifice, were stressed in the sermon.
— Bill Wechter / UT San Diego

The congregation worships during Spanish language mass Sunday at the Church of the Resurrection. “There’s a sense of pride and happiness that he’s Hispanic,” parishoner Jaime Zaragoza said of the new Pope Francis.
— Bill Wechter / UT San Diego

Pastor Jorge Vasquez stressed sacrifice and humility, qualities of the new Pope Francis, in his sermon to the congregation during Spanish language mass Sunday at the Church of the Resurrection in Escondido.
— Bill Wechter / UT San Diego

Brisa Reynoso, 3, and Niko Rojas, 6, sit close to the singers in a group called Coro Ziloe during Spanish language mass Sunday at the Church of the Resurrection in Escondido.
— Bill Wechter / UT San Diego

Jose Luis Tapia is jubilant listening to an up lifting song sung by the in house band at the conclusion of Spanish language mass Sunday at the Church of the Resurrection in Escondido.
— Bill Wechter / UT San Diego

“He has a great love of the poor,” Zaragoza said. “It’s an act of solidarity.”

Maria Candelaria said she felt an instant connection with the new pope.

“His face shows a lot of peace and love of God,” said Candelaria, of Escondido.

Some said they feel protective of the new pontiff. Parishioner Sonia Ibarra, of Escondido, said she’s inspired by Pope Francis’ humble example, but said he may have to forgo some of his preferred simplicity in favor of enhanced security. Recalling assassination attempts against Pope John Paul II, she said that public transportation may no longer be an option for the new pope.

“I think that what he’s doing is good, but at the same time he’s in a high position, so he has to take care of himself because he has to take care of the whole world,” Ibarra said.

At the Spanish language mass, parishioners said they were proud and honored to watch the first Latin American pope ascend to the Vatican.

“There’s a sense of pride and happiness that he’s Hispanic,” Zaragoza said. “We’re proud to have a pope from the Americas, who speaks our language.”

Some said they think that Pope Francis’ election will galvanize the Latin American Church.

“It’s an acknowledgement for the Hispanic people that a pope can understand the problems of the Hispanic community,” said Arfulfo Campuzano, of Escondido. “And I think that with this election, the Latino community is going to have more opportunity to grow in the Catholic faith.”